Preferred Materials
More steps, fewer footprints.
We understand every piece of footwear we make impacts the environment we love. That's why we strive to do better with every step. We use best-in-the-industry, environmentally preferred materials as certified by global responsible sourcing organizations and certifications that align with our quality assurance standards.
We all share the responsibility for the trail. That’s why we’re reimagining things top to bottom through sustainability and circularity. We’re focusing on all of our materials and footwear. If you see our Oboz Preferred Materials label, know that this product includes a minimum of 20% environmentally preferred materials by weight.
Oboz Preferred Materials
We use a wide variety of materials in our footwear. When evaluating these materials we not only review sustainability and circularity, but also durability. We do this because if one part of a shoe fails, the whole shoe can end up in the landfill. So, the longer the footwear can stay on your feet and out of the landfill, the better for the environment.
Below you will see our Oboz Preferred Materials guideline. We use this as our guide to consistently benchmark all styles in the Oboz Footwear product range toward meeting a target of 20% of Environmentally Preferred Material content (by-weight) by end of 2026.
Upper Materials
Leathers
Leather stands out as an exceptional material for building footwear for great durability and comfort. Not only does it possess these qualities, but it is also a byproduct making it a renewable resource. We are committed to supporting responsible leather manufacturing across the globe and that is why we are proud members of Leather Working Group/LWG. Leather Working Group/LWG is a member-led not-for-profit made up of stakeholders from across the leather value chain, driving improvement across the global leather supply chain. We purchase 100% of our leather from LWG-certified Gold suppliers. Attaining the gold level signifies that a tannery excels in all requirements, ranging from the environmental management system to the management of restricted substances. For further information, visit: https://www.leatherworkinggroup.com.
Synthetic
Synthetic materials, such as nylon, polyester, and microfiber, are often used in lighter more athletic performing footwear. We currently source synthetics that are made of at least 50% recycled materials. We follow the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) or the Recycled Claim Standard (RCS), both of which are industry standard labels to guarantee recycled claims in materials and GRS addresses specific environmental and social criteria for sourcing these materials.
Synthetic Leather
Synthetic leather, or faux leather, is used when a specific trait of feature is desired. We currently source synthetic leather made from at least 50% recycled according to Global Recycled Standards (GRS) or Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) or 22% bio-based certified by the USDA Bio-Preferred Certification.
Natural Fibers
Natural fibers are great materials. They are environmentally conscious and sustainably produced and offer excellent performance characteristics. All of the natural fibers we use are 95% Global Organic Textile Standard certified content or an 80% minimum recycled content.
Natural Wool
Wool is a great insulator along with other benefits and is a great material for adventures in the outdoors. It is a renewable resource which is great, but it is not without it's impact. We currently source wool material that has 95% content certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard or is 80% recycled according to the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) or the Recycled Claim Standard (RCS), both of which are industry standard labels to guarantee recycled claims in materials and GRS addresses specific environmental and social criteria for sourcing these materials.
Lining/Insulation
Waterproof
The lining of our waterproof styles is made from a minimum 25% recycled content using Global Recycling Standards (GRS) or Recycled Claim Standards (RCS) certified materials.
Non-waterproof
Our non-waterproof styles use either natural or synthetic materials according to performance needs. The natural material is 80% minimum recycled content or 95% Global Organic Textile Standard certified content. The synthetic material is a minimum of 50% recycled content according to Global Recycling Standard (GRS) or Recycled Claim Standards (RCS) certifications.
Insulated
We use different insulation in our footwear depending on the intended use. The natural insulation is 80% minimum recycled content or 95% Global Organic Textile Standard certified content. The synthetic insulation is a minimum of 50% recycled content according to Global Recycling Standard (GRS) or Recycled Claim Standards (RCS) certifications.
Hardware/Accessories
Laces/Webbing
All of our laces are 100% Global Recycling Standard certified (GRS) or Recycled Claim Standards (RCS) recycled material.
Metal eyelets/Hooks/Zipper
We use a minimum 15% Global Recycling Standard certified (GRS) or Recycled Claim Standards (RCS) recycled content.
TPU/Rubber Molded Components
For improved durability and longevity of our footwear we sometimes incorporate TPU or rubber molded components in key areas. We use 10% USDA Bio Preferred certified or 20% recycled Global Recycled Standard certified materials.
Footbed
Refer to synthetic textiles, Natural Fibers, Bio Based/upcycled in notes, EVA/PU midsole.
Bottom Package
PU/Type/SEBS Midsole
Various foams play a crucial role in enhancing the enduring comfort of shoes, particularly in midsoles and insoles. Diverse compounds and manufacturing processes contribute to distinct properties in these foams. However, the weight of the soles tends to be relatively heavy compared to other components of the shoe, thereby exerting a significant influence on the overall carbon footprint of the final products.
We continually strive to improve our impact with these materials while maintaining a high level of durability and performance.
The materials feature are 10% Natural Percent certified or 5% Global Recycling Standard certified or 10% Natural Trusted Lab certified.
EVA Midsole
The materials feature are 10% Natural Percent certified or 20% Global Recycling Standard certified.
Rubber Outsole
We use a variety of rubbers in our outsoles that are engineered specifically to the intended end use of the footwear. All of our rubbers either have some content mix that is FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified or 20% Global Recycling Standard certified.
Packaging
Paper Insert
Shoes come in packaging of all shapes and sizes. We work to have our packing arrive as efficiently and sustainably as possible to minimize the carbon footprint. Our boxes and inserts are made with a minimum of 90% FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Mix certified or 90% recycled materials.
Plastic Insert
Sometimes other materials make the most sense, when this happens we work to be as eco conscious as we can. We use 50% ASTM D6866 certified bio-based or 100% recycled materials.
Carton
We require that all of our shipping cartons are 85% recycled at a minimum.
What is the Global Recycled Standard and Recycled Claims Standard?
These are an international, voluntary standard that sets requirements for third-party certification of recycled input and chain of custody. Learn more here.
The Chemical Policy and Restricted Substances List focuses on Oboz dedication to creating the highest quality footwear while using sustainable and environmentally safe substances in our supply chain.
We understand every piece of footwear we make impacts the environment we love. That's why we strive to do better with every step. We use best-in-the-industry, environmentally preferred materials as certified by global responsible sourcing organizations and certifications that align with our quality assurance standards.
Our trail to responsibility
We all share the responsibility for the trail. That’s why we’re reimagining things top to bottom through sustainability and circularity. We’re focusing on all of our materials and footwear. If you see our Oboz Preferred Materials label, know that this product includes a minimum of 20% environmentally preferred materials by weight.
Oboz Preferred Materials
We use a wide variety of materials in our footwear. When evaluating these materials we not only review sustainability and circularity, but also durability. We do this because if one part of a shoe fails, the whole shoe can end up in the landfill. So, the longer the footwear can stay on your feet and out of the landfill, the better for the environment.
Below you will see our Oboz Preferred Materials guideline. We use this as our guide to consistently benchmark all styles in the Oboz Footwear product range toward meeting a target of 20% of Environmentally Preferred Material content (by-weight) by end of 2026.
- Upper Materials
- Lining/Insulation
- Hardware/Accessories
- Footbed
- Bottom Package
- Packaging
- What is the Global Recycled Standard and Recycled Claims Standard?
Oboz Chemical Policy
The Chemical Policy and Restricted Substances List focuses on Oboz dedication to creating the highest quality footwear while using sustainable and environmentally safe substances in our supply chain.
Preferred Material
These are any of the materials used to make our footwear that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with other materials that serve the same purpose.
Guide and resource used for setting Preferred Material standards: FDRA's Footwear Environmentally Preferred Material Guide (www.shoesustainability.com)
Percentage by Weight
Not all parts and pieces of a shoe are equal when it comes to impact. We measure our materials as a percentage by weight. This way we can focus on those parts that make the most impact on the environment. This is calculated by taking the weight of the Preferred Materials of one pair (men's size 9 and women's size 7), dividing by the full weight of the pair, and multiplying the result by 100.
Recycled Content
These materials have been previously used and serve as substitutes for raw materials taken from natural resources like petroleum, natural gas, and trees.
Recycled Claim Standard (RCS), Global Recycled Standard (GRS), and Recycled Wool Standard (RWS) are international, voluntary standards that set requirements for third-party certification of recycled input and chain of custody.
Learn more about the RCS & GRS here.
Learn more about responsible wool standards here.
Bio-based Content
Bio-based materials are derived from plants and other renewable materials, which helps us to decrease our use of non-renewable resources, like petroleum.
Learn more about biobased (ASTM D6866 & USDA) standards here.
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